The Crown Prosecution Service is to order prosecutors to apply for anonymity to be lifted in any youth case they think it is in the public interest.

The law currently protects the identity of any suspect under the age of 18, even if they are convicted, but it also allows for an application to have such restrictions lifted, if deemed appropriate.

The Daily Telegraph reported concerns last week that young offenders involved in the disturbances that swept the country were walked from court without significant punishments – and were still remaining anonymous.

But Theresa May has revealed that she wants as many of the young criminals identifying as possible.

She said: “When I was in Manchester last week, the issue was raised to me about the anonymity of juveniles who are found guilty of crimes of this sort.

"What I've asked is that CPS guidance should go to prosecutors to say that where possible, they should be asking for the anonymity of juveniles who are found guilty of criminal activity to be lifted."

Around one in five of those who have appeared in court are under 18 and at one stage last week as many as half of those who had gone through London courts were juveniles.

There is increasing anger that some of those who are convicted and remain anonymous are still treating the courts with contempt, by ignoring what orders are placed on them or refusing to even apologise.

Four masked teenage suspects even posed in front of their loot, worth £3,000, for a national newspaper yesterday.

From Monday, prosecutors dealing with riots cases across the country will be told to always consider applying for anonymity orders to be lifted on any guilty juveniles.

Any final decision on whether youngsters are named remains with the magistrate or judge.

A spokesman for the CPS said last night: “We will be issuing guidance to prosecutors tomorrow that states they should ask the court to lift the anonymity of a youth defendant when they believe it is required in the public interest that the youth be identified.

“Legislation permits the court to do so after conviction. These representations will be made on a case-by-case basis."

However, the move comes amid claims by some that justice is being “rushed through” and that the Government is guilty of a knee-jerk response.

Simon Hughes, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, hit out at plans to evict council tenants connected to the rioting and looting or strip them of state benefits.

"We should be careful not to rush into knee-jerk solutions including overhasty moves to change the social contract," he said.

He also warned against imposing tough sentences on young offenders "with no work and no prospects" saying they may fail to act as a deterrent.

Eoin McLennan Murray, president of the Prison Governors Association, added that community sentences were often more effective than jail sentences.

"We need to draw breath and not rush into rash decisions while emotions are high. Let's think it through clearly,” he said.

"We have a very good criminal justice system in this country. We should rely on that, rely on its integrity, to deal with this issue."

Chris Sims, the Chief Constable of the West Midlands, added: "Sentencing is justifiably harsh but we must not at this time abandon all compassion for some of our very damaged young people who have been caught up in these incidents."